Greatest athlete of all time?
Discussion
Just musing on this after watching the ESPN documentary on Bo Jackson. Some may remeber the famous Nike ads that made him a name wider than football and baseball.
Remembering and hearing about his abilities got me thinking about who might be the best natural athlete of our time. I don't mean specifically in terms of career success, accomplishments etc. but more in terms of raw natural athletic potential - power, speed, coordination, agility etc.
I've seen some great ones in different sports but can't think of anyone more likely, so he's my bet. Any other suggestions?
BTW - re. Jackson - as an NFL fan (and bit player in the late 80s) I remember the hype and excitement about him as he came out of college, into baseball and then into the LA Raiders - as a hobby, only to become one of the best running backs of the time after walking away from the team who picked him as their no. 1 draft pick following a grudge.
He excelled in both and was famed for his strength (even though he apparently didn't like weightlifting and did as little as he could), his speed, great hand-eye coordination, agility, his arm power (evidenced in both multiple home run batting and throws including one famous one they showed that no one could believe the c.300 foot distance/speed of) etc.
Team mates and coaches all raved about him, couldn't believe the things he could do (noting daily special events, stating they'd never coached anyone as special etc.) and one noted how he never left for the toilet before Jackson was due to come on the field, and Howie Long said that he was one of those rare players who others get up from the bench to watch.
Some of the feats shown and reported included him standing water up to thighs and suddenly doing a standing backflip as a teenager, that as a high school kid he was State Champion in triple jump, pole vault, high jump etc. - with records like a 6'8" high jump, 13 feet pole vault, at a bodyweight of 215lb - that he jumped right over a Volkswagon Beetle, regularly smashed baseball bats over his thigh or helmet (the films are awesome and some on YouTube) etc.
The documentary is well worth catching if they air it again which they usually do...
Remembering and hearing about his abilities got me thinking about who might be the best natural athlete of our time. I don't mean specifically in terms of career success, accomplishments etc. but more in terms of raw natural athletic potential - power, speed, coordination, agility etc.
I've seen some great ones in different sports but can't think of anyone more likely, so he's my bet. Any other suggestions?
BTW - re. Jackson - as an NFL fan (and bit player in the late 80s) I remember the hype and excitement about him as he came out of college, into baseball and then into the LA Raiders - as a hobby, only to become one of the best running backs of the time after walking away from the team who picked him as their no. 1 draft pick following a grudge.
He excelled in both and was famed for his strength (even though he apparently didn't like weightlifting and did as little as he could), his speed, great hand-eye coordination, agility, his arm power (evidenced in both multiple home run batting and throws including one famous one they showed that no one could believe the c.300 foot distance/speed of) etc.
Team mates and coaches all raved about him, couldn't believe the things he could do (noting daily special events, stating they'd never coached anyone as special etc.) and one noted how he never left for the toilet before Jackson was due to come on the field, and Howie Long said that he was one of those rare players who others get up from the bench to watch.
Some of the feats shown and reported included him standing water up to thighs and suddenly doing a standing backflip as a teenager, that as a high school kid he was State Champion in triple jump, pole vault, high jump etc. - with records like a 6'8" high jump, 13 feet pole vault, at a bodyweight of 215lb - that he jumped right over a Volkswagon Beetle, regularly smashed baseball bats over his thigh or helmet (the films are awesome and some on YouTube) etc.
The documentary is well worth catching if they air it again which they usually do...
LostBMW said:
got me thinking about who might be the best natural athlete of our time. I don't mean specifically in terms of career success, accomplishments etc. but more in terms of raw natural athletic potential - power, speed, coordination, agility etc.
'Athlete' can encompass so many things, you missed strength from your list for example, but I get where you are coming from.My one of that era is Michael Jordan, I watched him as a kid growing up in Dorset, never having been to the States and he was like another species, I thought he could actually fly.
From the modern age, you can't look too much beyond guys like Bolt. But I would also mention David Rudisha - I think he's awesome, I thought Kipketer was a beautiful natural runner, but Rudisha takes it to the next level.
Highway Star said:
LostBMW said:
got me thinking about who might be the best natural athlete of our time. I don't mean specifically in terms of career success, accomplishments etc. but more in terms of raw natural athletic potential - power, speed, coordination, agility etc.
'Athlete' can encompass so many things, you missed strength from your list for example, but I get where you are coming from.My one of that era is Michael Jordan, I watched him as a kid growing up in Dorset, never having been to the States and he was like another species, I thought he could actually fly.
From the modern age, you can't look too much beyond guys like Bolt. But I would also mention David Rudisha - I think he's awesome, I thought Kipketer was a beautiful natural runner, but Rudisha takes it to the next level.
Good thread, entirely subjective as you can make a case for many top level athletes past and present.
I would have to nominate Lionel Messi. Someone who makes every other player in the game look like an amateur. Above all its he's consistency that really blows my mind.
Bolt is another good shout, if he's able to win gold at Rio then I would think that would be enough to put the question to bed.
I would have to nominate Lionel Messi. Someone who makes every other player in the game look like an amateur. Above all its he's consistency that really blows my mind.
Bolt is another good shout, if he's able to win gold at Rio then I would think that would be enough to put the question to bed.
Max Woosnam...Greatest British Sportsman
Olympic gold and silver medalist at the 1920 Summer Olympics, winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in Snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920-21 and captaining the England national football team.
Oh yes, he also fought in the First World War alongside Siegfried Sassoon on the western front and in the Gallipoli Campaign.
He beat Charlie Chaplin at table tennis with a butter knife instead of a bat!
AND he was appointed to the board of ICI!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Woosnam
Olympic gold and silver medalist at the 1920 Summer Olympics, winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in Snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920-21 and captaining the England national football team.
Oh yes, he also fought in the First World War alongside Siegfried Sassoon on the western front and in the Gallipoli Campaign.
He beat Charlie Chaplin at table tennis with a butter knife instead of a bat!
AND he was appointed to the board of ICI!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Woosnam
Grovsie26 said:
Greatest sportsman IMO ever is Don Bradman. Nobody has ever stood head and shoulders above anyone else in there own sport. His stats are mind boggling. It's hard to compare era's though in any sport.
Possibly, can't disagree, but I was more interested in athleticism/physical ability more than skill and accomplishment at a sport. I know it sounds odd or irrelevant given the end goal in any sport but it's that 'freak of nature' aspect that got me intrigued.EDIT - however, given some of the excellent sportsmen mentioned so far it would be a shame not to continue with them so maybe we could enter people in two areas, just listing as (a) or (b) for
(a) 'natural' physical ability/athleticism
and
(b) sporting prowess, versatility, accomplishment?
Edited by LostBMW on Saturday 19th January 20:28
Grovsie26 said:
Greatest sportsman IMO ever is Don Bradman. Nobody has ever stood head and shoulders above anyone else in there own sport. His stats are mind boggling. It's hard to compare era's though in any sport.
Someone else has stood head and shoulders above, and still does.Wayne Gretzky.
His numbers are so far ahead of the second place person it's frightening.
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